Though not the record-breaking season the Skyhawks had in 2018, the soccer squad will once again return to the OVC playoffs following a 4-0 rout of the Jacksonville State (JSU) Gamecocks.
Four different Skyhawks notched goals in the final regular season game of the year, which also happened to be senior night. Though UTM’s two seniors on the roster, forward Nicole Collins and defender Lexi Thomas, didn’t score, the team rallied and rewarded their contributions to the program with a dominant win and playoff berth.
“Nicole and Lexi have been absolutely fantastic student athletes,” McNamara said to Sports Information. “They haven’t missed a beat in four years. They are great competitors, have great fitness and great ability. They have played a lot of minutes for us and obviously helped us win a championship last year. They are a small class but a very strong driving force for this team.”
Sophomore forward Jill Hildreth, who leads the team in goals, notched her eighth goal of the season in the 45th minute of action. Junior forward Alice Adams followed soon after with her fourth goal of the season in the 52nd minute.
Junior forward/midfielder Bella Roberts put the Skyhawks up by three with a penalty shot in the second half, which was followed by freshman forward Sophia Makowski’s first goal as a Skyhawk in the 78th minute.
Junior goalkeeper Erica Myers once again stood strong in the net, recording four saves to notch her 24th career victory and her fifth shutout of the year (13th in her career).
With the win over JSU, the Skyhawks have clinched the No. 3 seed in the OVC playoffs, meaning that UTM will get a bye into the quarterfinals where they will face the winner of the No. 6 seed Belmont and No. 7 seed Austin Peay matchup.
“I am absolutely delighted,” McNamara said. “We knew coming in that we might not be experienced enough to challenge for the regular season title with so many new faces. We have talked all year about targeting that third or fourth spot and we are exciting about our achievement in that regard. We have to feel really good heading into the tournament having won four of our last five games. I think we have found our consistency right before the tournament and that’s exciting.”
The Skyhawks will return to action at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Skyhawk Soccer Field, where they will play their quarterfinal match against the Bruins or Governors.
Forward Nicole Collins and defender Lexi Thomas were honored prior to UTM’s 4-0 victory over JSU as a part of senior night. Photo Credit / Sports Information
